Golf Santa Maria Maggiore
A nine-hole course in the pine forest, surrounded by mountains. You can walk there from the apartment: handy even for a round before dinner.
Golf club opening times and feesEvents and surroundings
The Vigezzo Valley, from your front door
the valley of painters
The Vigezzo valley is the most popular of the Ossola valleys. Geographically different from its Ossola sisters, it opens onto a spacious plateau which extends from east to west. Very sunny and served by a large state road and the Vigezzina railway, it's the ideal destination for a stay full of nature and relaxation.
3 minon foot to the square
10 minon foot to the Vigezzina station
15 minon foot to the pine forest and golf
In autumn
Foliage Train
The Vigezzina train connects Domodossola to Locarno, Switzerland: it goes up and crosses the entire Vigezzo valley and then descends along the Centovalli to Locarno. The route from terminus to terminus is 52 km long and offers breathtaking views in every season, although the most popular season is autumn.
Starting from Domodossola at an altitude of 300 metres and going up to over 800 metres in the Vigezzo valley, you cross beech, chestnut, maple, oak and finally larch forests with a real explosion of colours: from deep red to yellow, from brown to green... it feels like travelling through a paint palette.
Our apartment is a few minutes from the Santa Maria Maggiore station and, based on your needs, we offer personalised check-in and check-out times. The seats on the train tend to sell out quickly in autumn; we recommend booking them well in advance.
Outdoors
Pine forest and golf, no car needed
The pine forest and the Sentiero delle Bore
In the pine forest, about fifteen minutes' walk away, starts the Sentiero delle Bore, the "log road": an easy loop of about 2 km, with panels about the old forest work and a viewpoint over the village. A playground and an adventure park are nearby.
The route on OpenTrek
The perfect choice for families and hikers, this valley offers nature which is still authentic and traditions which are still deeply rooted in the people and places. Here you can still buy local mountain pasture cheeses made just like "once upon a time", excellent salami and the famous smoked Vigezzino ham.
Hikes in the Vigezzo valley on OpenTrekThroughout the year
The most popular events
Septemberfirst week
International Meeting of Chimney Sweeps
Every year Santa Maria Maggiore hosts the International Meeting of Chimney Sweeps, an event which attracts thousands of people, with groups of chimney sweeps from all over the world. So many colours, languages and rivers of beer! It starts on Friday evening, continues on Saturday with the black night and on Sunday morning with the famous parade, and finishes on Sunday afternoon with the award ceremony. If you're interested, book several months in advance: on these days it's difficult to find a place to stay in the Vigezzo valley.
Septemberin Craveggia
A spasso tra le streghe (A walk with the witches)
The historic centre of Craveggia, just next to Santa Maria Maggiore, fills with witches and wizards: shows among the porticoes and courtyards, workshops and games for children, local food and, after sunset, the burning of the witch in the square.
Event page
Octoberone weekend
Fuori di Zucca
Hundreds of pumpkins brighten the streets and squares of the village: a local produce market, street games, music, workshops and themed tastings. On Sunday the pumpkins used in the decorations are auctioned. It falls right in the foliage season.
Event page
DecemberChristmas season
Christmas markets
The markets of Santa Maria Maggiore stand out for their beautiful location in the streets of the historic centre and for the quality of their stalls, which are individually selected by the organising committee. Strengthened by a lot of experience and a tireless volunteer group, nothing is left to chance: parking, shuttles, information. From the apartment you can walk there.
Stay at the centre of it all
Train, golf, pine forest and square on foot. Book directly for the best price.